In September 2025, Kilian Jornet will embark on States of Elevation, his latest major project: a journey connecting the American peaks over 14,000 feet high, known as « fourteeners », on foot and by bike. Starting from Longs Peak, the ultra-trail runner will cover a colossal route through the states of Colorado, California, and Washington in the United States, using only the strength of his legs.
When Kilian Jornet‘s press office WhatsApp group woke up, it was a safe bet that something was about to happen. After an initial notification, a press release was issued on Wednesday, August 6, announcing a new gargantuan challenge, a project that should allow the most famous trail runner to push the limits of endurance once again.
This fall, Kilian Jornet will cross much of the United States to climb the peaks of the fourteeners. To do so, relying solely on the strength of his legs, he will have to cover the equivalent of a stage of the Tour de France combined with a marathon every day, with the added challenge of altitude and technical terrain. This project, States of Elevation, promises to push him to the limits of endurance once again.
Kilian Jornet in Sierre-Zinal en 2024. ©Sierre-Zinal
Kilian Jornet’s list
The United States has 96 peaks over 14,000 feet. The state of Colorado alone has 53, followed by California and Washington. It should be noted that Kilian Jornet will not be venturing as far as Alaska, where the last fourteeners on the list of 96 are located. This also means, of course, that major peaks such as Denali and Foraker will not be on the agenda, as they are very difficult to climb logistically and very remote.
In total, this means 25 fewer fourteeners, for a total of 71. The total distance is difficult to estimate. But starting from Longs Peak in northern Colorado, Jornet will tackle most of the fourteeners right away.
Kilian Jornet in Valais (Switzerland), 2024. © Nick Danielson
A breathless journey
In line with its previous projects, Pyrenees 300 in 2023 and Alpine Connections in 2024, this new project is faithful to its philosophy based on minimalism and extreme endurance. It also aims to highlight the richness and diversity of the landscapes of the American West, from alpine mountains to dense forests and arid deserts.
Under the pretext of connecting the fourteeners,
my goal is also
to explore the American West
« My experiences in the Pyrenees and the Alps motivated me to continue exploring this aspect of long traverses, which involves significant physical, cognitive, and creative challenges. I am clearly seeking continuity in this regard. Under the pretext of connecting the fourteeners, my goal is also to explore the American West—the immensity of the landscapes, the cultures that have lived and still live there, as well as the often wild and incredibly varied nature, ranging from alpine areas to dense forests and deserts » explains Jornet.
The long American journey is scheduled to begin in early September, during which we can imagine that a few local accomplices will join him. Follow the journey on Alpine Mag in a month’s time.